Mobile computer having a housing with openings for cooling

ABSTRACT

A mobile computer comprising a lower panel, a top panel, side panels, a plurality of keyboard keys and a computer screen. The lower panel can be located on a horizontal surface. The top panel is vertically spaced from the lower panel. The side panels are located between the lower panel and the top panel. The panels define a housing. The top and side panels, while remaining attached to the lower panel, are movable relative to the lower panel between a lower position and an elevated position wherein a gap opens up between the side panels and the lower panel. The keys are located on the housing. The computer screen is mounted to the housing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1). Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a mobile computer having a housing withopenings for cooling.

2). Discussion of Related Art

Mobile computers generally consist of a housing having a screen attachedthereto. The screen can be pivoted between a position wherein it liesflat on the housing and a position where it extends away from thehousing for purposes of viewing a display thereof. Older generations ofmobile computers generated small amounts of power and heat generatedwithin housings of such computers could easily be convected to airwithin the housings, conducted through panels of the housings and beconvected and radiated from outer surfaces of the housings. Simplisticheat transfer of this kind has now become unsuitable for the relativelyhigh amounts of power that are generated within mobile computers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is described by way of examples with reference to theaccompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mobile computer according to oneembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of the computer showing a naturalconvection flow path of air through a housing thereof;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing the computer in ghost linesand further showing flow of air through a housing of the computer;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2 illustrating radiation from aprocessor of the computer;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a mobile computer according to anotherembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a mobile computer according to anotherembodiment of the invention wherein a user has to open a housing of thecomputer;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the computer shown in a working arrangement;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 wherein the housing of the computeris closed;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8 wherein a screen of the computer isfolded down onto the housing;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of components of the computer of FIG. 6 whichare used for setting power provided to a processor thereof dependent onwhether the housing is open or closed; and

FIG. 11 is a flow chart illustrating how power is adjusted utilizing thecomponents of FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings illustrates a mobile computer 20according to an embodiment of the invention. The computer 20 includes ahousing 22, keys 24, a track pad 26, and a screen 28.

The housing 22 includes a lower panel 30, a top panel 32, a right-handside panel 34, a left-hand side panel 36, a forward side panel 38, and arearward side panel 40. The lower panel 30 can be located on ahorizontal surface and the top panel 32 is vertically spaced from thelower panel 30. Each one of the side panels 34 to 40 is attached to andextends between a respective edge of the lower panel 30 and a respectiveedge of the top panel 32.

The track pad 26 is located in an area of the top panel 32 near theforward side panel 38 and half way between the left-hand and right-handside panels 34 and 36. Wrist support portions 42 of the top panel 32 arelocated on opposing sides of the track pad 26.

The keys 24 are laid out in a “QWERTY” arrangement on a side of thetrack pad 26 opposing the forward side panel 38. The keys 24 extendthrough an opening or openings formed in the top panel 32. An additionalportion 44 of the top panel 32 is provided on a side of the keys 24opposing the track pad 26.

The screen 28 has a screen frame 48 and a display 50 located in thescreen frame 48. The screen frame 48 has a top edge 52, a lower edge 54,and two opposing side edges 56 and 58 respectively. A hinge connector 60attaches the lower edge 54 to the housing 22 at a location where the toppanel 32 and the rearward panel 40 meet.

In use, a user locates the computer 20 so that the user is located on aside of the housing 22 opposing the screen 28. Wrists of the user canrest on the wrist support portions 42, from where the user can accessthe track pad 26 and the keys 24. From such a position the user can alsoview the display 50 of the screen 28.

The computer 20 as shown in FIG. 1 is in a less compact arrangementsuitable for purposes of working wherein the screen 28 extends upwardand away from the housing 22. The screen can also be folded down ontothe housing 22 by pivoting on the hinge connector 60. The edges 52 to 58of the screen frame 48 are then located along edges of the top panel 32.The computer 20 is then in a compact arrangement suitable fortransportation.

Powering up of components within the housing 22 results in heating ofthese components. A plurality of air inlet openings and air outletopenings are formed in the housing 22 for purposes of cooling thesecomponents. For example, air inlet openings 64 are formed on theright-hand side of the forward side panel 38. The openings 64 aretypically formed over an area wherein the openings 64 comprise about 60percent of the area, and lands between the opening 64 the remaining 40percent of the area. Air inlet openings 66 are also formed on theleft-hand side of the forward side panel 38. Air inlet openings 68 arealso formed towards the front of the right-hand side panel 34 and airinlet openings 70 are also formed towards the rear of the right-handside panel 34. The left-hand side panel 36 has air inlet openingssimilar to the air inlet openings 68 and 70 in the right-hand side panel34. Air outlet openings 74 are formed in a central region of theadditional portion 44 of the top panel 32. More air outlet openings 76are formed in a right-hand side of the additional portion 44 and moreair outlet openings 78 are formed in a left-hand side of the additionalportion 44. The air inlet openings 64 to 70 are located in verticalarrangements and the air outlet openings 74 to 78 are located inhorizontal arrangements. The air outlet openings 74 to 78 are locatedhigher than any of the air inlet openings 64 to 70.

FIG. 2 is a cross section through the housing 22 showing the air inletopenings 64 and the air outlet openings 74, by way of example. Amotherboard 82 is located within the housing 22 and is elevated from thelower panel 30 utilizing support pins 84. A number of electroniccomponents are mounted to the motherboard 82 including a centralprocessing unit processor 86 and other components 88. Some of thecomponents 86 and 88 are mounted to an upper surface of the motherboard82 and other ones are mounted to a lower surface of the motherboard 82.All the components 86 and 88 are located substantially between the airinlet openings 64 and the air outlet openings 74. The processor 86 islocated directly below the air outlet openings 74.

In use, powering up of the components 86 and 88 results in heating up ofthe components 86 and 88. Heat is transferred from the components 86 and88 to air within the housing 22. The heated air rises and escapesthrough the air outlet openings 74. A low pressure within the housing 22then draws air ambient through the air inlet openings 64. Air thereforefollows a natural convection path into the air inlet openings 64,through the housing 22 and out of the air outlet openings 74. Themotherboard 82 and components 86 and 88 are strategically located sothat the air flows over components 88 located on a lower surface of themotherboard 82 and more air flows over the components 88 and theprocessor 86 located on an upper surface of the motherboard 82.

As shown in FIG. 3, it is possible that air can be drawn into the airinlet openings 64, 66, 68, and more air inlet openings like the airinlet opening 68 on an opposing side of the housing 22. The air thenflows through the housing 22 over electronic components that generateheat. The air then leaves the housing 22 through the air outlet openings74, 76, and 78. More air can enter through the air inlet openings 70 andleave through the air outlet opening 76. The air inlet openings 64 to 70and air outlet openings 74 to 78 are strategically located so that airflows over specifically identified electronic components within thehousing 22 that generate heat. The number of openings, their relativesizes and locations are all optimized to create a predetermined air flowover specifically identified electronic components so as to transfer apredetermined amount of heat to the air by way of convection.

FIG. 4 illustrates that radiation rays 90 are also radiated from theprocessor 86 through the air outlet openings 74. A processor at 80° C.transfers about 60 percent of its heat to air by way of convection andabout 40 percent of its heat by way of radiation. Radiation heattransfers through the air outlet opening 74 may therefore besignificant. The air outlet openings 74 are located in areas which wouldnot cause discomfort to a user due to radiation from the processor 86.

Powering up of the processor 86 causes a temperature rise thereof sothat there is a temperature difference between the processor 86 and theambient air around the housing. In general, there would be a firsttemperature difference between the processor 86 and air around thehousing when the air inlet openings and air outlet openings are notformed, and a second temperature difference between the processor 86 andair around the housing with the air inlet openings and air outletopenings being formed. The second temperature difference is usually atleast 2° C. less for every 1 W power to which the processor 86 ispowered up. For example, if this processor is powered up to 30 W, therewould be a 60° C. temperature reduction of the processor due to theinlet openings and the outlet openings.

FIG. 5 illustrates a computer 20A which has the same components as thecomputer 20 of FIG. 1. For example, the computer 20A also includes ahousing 22A, keys 24A, a track pad 26A and a screen 28A. The housing 22Aalso has a lower panel 30A, a top panel 32A, and side panels 34A to 40A.The air inlet openings 64 to 70 are replaced with vertical air inletslots 64A to 70A respectively. The air outlet openings 74 to 78 arereplaced with air outlet slots 74A to 78A respectively. The slots in thehousing 22A are for the same purpose as the openings in the housing 22.They are also similarly sized to allow for a similar degree ofconvection and radiation. The computer 20A is the same as the computer20 in all other respects.

FIG. 6 illustrates a mobile computer 120 according to another embodimentof the invention. The computer 120 includes a housing 122, keys, 124, atrack pad 126, and a screen 128.

The housing 122 includes a lower panel 130, a top panel 132, aright-hand side panel 134, a left-hand side panel 136, a forward sidepanel 138, and a rearward side panel 140. The lower panel 130 is locatedon a horizontal surface and the rearward side panel 140 extends upwardlyfrom a rear edge of the lower panel 130. A lower edge of the forwardside panel 138 is pivotally connected to the front edge of the lowerpanel 130. The forward side panel 138 extends upwardly from the lowerpanel 130 and is connected to a front edge of the top panel 132. Theright-hand side panel 134 extends downwardly from a right-hand edge ofthe top panel 132 and the left-hand side panel 136 extends downwardlyfrom a left-hand edge of the top panel 132. A lower partial enclosure isdefined by the lower panel 130 and the rearward side panel 140 and anupper partial enclosure is formed by the top panel, and the forward,right-hand, and left-hand side panels 138, 134, and 136 respectively.The upper partial enclosure can pivot relative to the lower partialenclosure. A user can locate the computer 120 so that the user can viewa display 150 on the screen 128. When the upper partial enclosure pivotstowards the user, a gap 164 opens up in between a right-hand edge of thelower panel 130 and a lower edge of the right-hand side panel 134. Asimilar gap opens up on an opposing side of the housing 122. Pivoting ofthe upper partial enclosure in a direction away from the user closes thegap 164 and the gap on the opposing side of the housing 122.

A large rectangular keyboard opening 166 is formed in the top panel 132between the pad 126 and a rear edge of the top panel 132. A keyboardpanel 168 is located over the keyboard opening 166. A front edge of thekeyboard panel 168 near the track pad 126 is pivotally connected to afront edge of the keyboard opening 166. The keys 124 are all mounted tothe keyboard panel 168. Pivoting of the keyboard panel 168 towards theuser results in lifting of a rear edge of the keyboard panel 168 off arear edge of the keyboard opening 166 so that a gap 170 opens up. Thegap 170 located below all edges of the keyboard panel 166 except thefront edge thereof.

FIG. 7 illustrates the computer 120 from a right-hand side thereof. Thecomputer 120 is shown with both the upper partial enclosure and thekeyboard panel 168 pivoted towards a user so that the gap 168 and thegap 170 are both open. Air can enter into a front opening 172 of the gap168 and flow back and upward over computer components within the housing122 and then flow out of the housing 122 through an opening 174 of thegap 168 in a rear of the housing 122. A natural convection path isprovided because the opening 174 is higher than the opening 172. The airmay also leave the housing 122 through a rear of the gap 170. A naturalconvection path is provided because the gap 170 is located higher thanthe opening 172.

A ratchet 176 is provided that rotates in a ratchet action when theupper partial enclosure pivots relative to the lower partial enclosure.A user can pivot the upper partial enclosure to a required anglerelative to the lower partial enclosure and the ratchet 176 retains theupper partial enclosure at the selected angle. A ratchet 178 is alsoprovided which allows for pivoting of the keyboard panel 168 relative tothe top panel 132. The user can pivot the keyboard panel 168 to adesired angle and the ratchet 178 retains the keyboard panel 168 at thedesired angle.

As shown in FIG. 8, the keyboard panel 168 can be pivoted away from theuser in a downward direction 182 until the keyboard panel 168 is locatedsubstantially co-planar with the top panel 132. The upper partialenclosure can also be pivoted away from the user in a downward direction184. Both the gap 168 and the gap 170 of FIG. 7 are so closed. Thescreen 128 is pivotally connected to a rear edge of the top panel 132.As shown in FIG. 9, the screen can be pivoted towards the user in adirection 186 onto the housing 122. The computer 120 as shown in FIG. 9is suitable for transportation. A reverse of the steps shown in FIG. 7,FIG. 8, and FIG. 9 can be carried out to again set the computer 120 upfor operational purposes of working.

In order to provide a user an incentive to open the housing 122 as shownin FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, power to a processor is reduced when the housingis closed and power is increased when the housing is open. FIG. 10illustrates components of the computer for achieving such purpose. Thecomponents include a processor 200, a power supply 202, a powercontroller 204, a top opening detector 206, and an elevation detector208. Power is supplied by the power supply 202 through the powercontroller 204 to the processor 200. The power controller 204 controlsthe amount of power supplied by the power supply 202 to the processor200. The top opening detector 206 and the elevation detector 208 bothprovide information to the power controller 204. The power controller204 regulates power provided to the processor 200 dependent oninformation provided to the power controller 204 by the top openingdetector 206 and the elevation detector 208. Top opening detector 206may for example be a limit switch and the elevation detector 208 mayalso be a separate limit switch. In another embodiment both the topopening detector 206 and the elevation detector 208 may be in the formof a single switch or a single detector.

FIG. 11 illustrates how the power controller 204 regulates powerprovided to the processor 200. In step 220 the power controller 204determines whether the top panel is in the elevated position. Theelevated position of the top panel is shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7. Thepower controller 204 determines whether the top panel is in the elevatedposition when such information is provided thereto by the elevationdetector 204. If the top panel is in the elevated position then step 222is executed. In step 222 the power controller 204 determines whether thekeyboard panel is in the open position shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7. Thepower controller 204 determines whether the keyboard is in the openposition because the top opening detector 206 provides such informationto the power controller. If the keyboard is in the open position, step224 is executed. In step 224 power provided by the power supply to theprocessor 200 is set to “HIGH”. If in step 220 the top panel isdetermined to be in any position other than the elevated position, step226 is executed wherein the power is set to “LOW”. In step 222, if it isdetermined that the keyboard is in any position other than a fullyopened position, step 226 is also executed. It can thus be seen thatpower will only be set to “HIGH” if the top panel is in a fully elevatedposition and the keyboard panel is in a fully opened position. A userwill therefore not be able to harness maximum power from the processor200 unless the user adjusts the top panel to the fully elevated positionand adjusts the keyboard to the fully open position.

While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and shown in theaccompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments aremerely illustrative and not restrictive of the current invention, andthat this invention is not restricted to the specific constructions andarrangements shown and described since modifications may occur to thoseordinarily skilled in the art.

What is claimed:
 1. A mobile computer comprising: a lower panel to belocated over a horizontal surface; a top panel vertically spaced fromthe lower panel; side panels between the lower panel and the top panel,the panels defining a housing, and, while remaining attached to oneanother, being movable relative to one another between a first positionand a second position wherein a gap opens up between the panels to allowair into the housing; a processor in the housing; a power supplysupplying power to the processor; a detector which detects when thepanels are in the respective first and second positions; a powercontroller connected to the power supply and controlling power suppliedby the power supply to the processor dependent on detection by thedetector so that less power is supplied to the processor when the panelsare in the first position than in the second position; a plurality ofkeys on the housing; and a computer screen mounted to the housing. 2.The mobile computer of claim 1 further comprising: an elevation supportconnected between the side panels and the lower panel to support theside and top panels in the elevated position.
 3. The mobile computer ofclaim 1 wherein the top and side panels pivot relative to the lowerpanel.
 4. The mobile computer of claim 3 wherein the top and side panelspivot into the elevated position towards a user when located to view adisplay on the screen.
 5. The mobile computer of claim 1 furthercomprising a keyboard panel located within a complementary top openingin the top panel, the keyboard keys being mounted to the keyboard panel,the keyboard panel, while remaining attached to the top panel, beingmovable relative to the top panel between a closed position wherein thekeyboard panel closes the top opening in the top panel, and an openposition wherein the top opening in the top panel is open to allow forventilation of air out of the housing.
 6. The mobile computer of claim 5further comprising: a keyboard panel support connected between the toppanel and the keyboard panel to support the keyboard panel in the openposition.
 7. The mobile computer of claim 5 further comprising: a topopening detector which detects when the keyboard panel is in therespective closed and open positions, the power controller controllingpower supplied by the power supply to the processor dependent ondetection by the top opening detector so that less power is supplied tothe processor when the keyboard panel is in the closed position thanwhen the keyboard panel is in the open position.
 8. The mobile computerof claim 5 wherein the keyboard panel pivots relative to the top panel.9. The mobile computer of claim 8 wherein the keyboard panel pivots intothe open position towards a user when located to view a display on thescreen.
 10. The mobile computer of claim 1 wherein the top and sidepanels move relative to the lower panel between the first and secondpositions.
 11. A mobile computer comprising: a lower panel to be locatedon a horizontal surface; a keyboard panel vertically spaced from thelower panel; and side panels between the keyboard panel and the lowerpanel, the panels at least in part defining a housing, the keyboardpanel and side panels, while remaining attached to the lower panel beingmovable relative to the lower panel between a lower position and anelevated position wherein a gap opens up between the side panels and thelower panel to allow air into the housing, and the keyboard panel, whileremaining attached to the side panels, being movable relative to theside panels and the lower panel between a closed position and an openposition to allow for venting of air out of the housing; a plurality ofkeyboard keys on the keyboard panel; and a computer screen mounted tothe housing.
 12. The mobile computer of claim 11 further comprising: anelevation support connected between the side panels and the lower panelto support the side and top panels in the elevated position; and akeyboard support connected between the keyboard, panel, and the sidepanels to support the keyboard panel in the open position.
 13. Themobile computer of claim 11 further comprising: a processor in thehousing; a power supply supplying power to the processor; an elevationdetector which detects when the top and side panels are in therespective lower and elevated positions; a top opening detector whichdetects when the keyboard panel is in the respective closed and openpositions; and a power controller connected to the power supply to theprocessor dependent on (i) detection by the elevation detector so thatless power is supplied to the processor when the top and side panels arein the lower position than in the elevated position, and (ii) detectionby the top opening detector so that less power is supplied to theprocessor when the keyboard panel is in the closed position than whenthe keyboard panel is in the open position.
 14. A mobile computercomprising: a lower panel to be located on a horizontal surface; akeyboard panel vertically spaced from the lower panel; and side panelsbetween the keyboard panel and the lower panel, the panels at least inpart defining a housing, the keyboard panel and side panels, whileremaining attached to the lower panel being movable relative to thelower panel between a lower position and an elevated position wherein agap opens up between the side panels and the lower panel to allow airinto the housing and the keyboard panel, while remaining attached to theside panels, being movable relative to the side panels and the lowerpanel between a closed position and an open position to allow forventing of air out of the housing; an elevation support connectedbetween the side panels and the lower panel to support the side and toppanels in the elevated position; a keyboard support connected betweenthe keyboard panel and the side panels to support the keyboard panel inthe open position; a plurality of keys on the keyboard panel; aprocessor in the housing; a power supply supplying power to theprocessor; an elevation detector which detects when the top and sidepanels are in the respective lower and elevated positions; a top openingdetector which detects when the keyboard panel is in the respectivedosed and open positions; a power controller connected to the powersupply to the processor dependent on (i) detection by the elevationdetector so that less power is supplied to the processor when the topand side panels are in the lower position than in the elevated position,and (ii) detection by the top opening detector so that less power issupplied to the processor when the keyboard panel is in the closedposition than when the keyboard panel is in the open position; and acomputer screen mounted to the housing.
 15. The mobile computer of claim14 wherein: (i) the top and side panels pivot into the elevationposition towards a user when located to view a display on the screen,and (ii) the keyboard panel pivots into the open position towards theuser when viewing the display on the screen.